• Roasted Veggie Couscous

    Spring veggies are just about ready in my part of the country. The farmers markets are starting to get loaded up with beautiful produce and this couscous dish is one of my favorite ways to highlight so many of those veggies. It starts with the veggies With so many beautiful veggies popping at my farmers markets and in my grocery store it was hard to choose which veggies to use for this delicious salad.  First I knew I wanted to use peppers, red, yellow and orange.  I love how sweet early spring peppers are and these were just perfect.  Next I threw in an onion.  I used a white onion,…

  • what happens when a skillet and spinach meet…

    The Sis-in-Law is queen of good and easy sides and she did not disappoint with her latest creation.  They came over not too long ago for dinner and she offered to make the side.  I was thrilled as I was busy with the rib roast and twice baked potatoes, and I knew it would be super yummy and I was right. Super simple but so good When she came walking in she had a bag of spinach and that was it.   All sorts of options ran though my head.  We were going to steam it, microwave eat, eat it raw, but never did I think about a quick sauté.…

  • Summer is not over…yet

    I know, I know summer is coming to an end.  If you go to any store you are already seeing fall and pumpkins starting to invade all the aisles.  (Although I kinda love everything pumpkin so I am ok with that part).  But in my part of the world it is still in the 90’s, feeling like to 100’s, and I am still craving light but super flavorful dishes.  This Jalapeño Lime Sauce is all that and SO MUCH MORE! Just a little heat (unless you want more) I know Jalapeño is in the name, but don’t worry it is not super spicy.   The trick to this sauce is…

  • turning everyone into a sprout lover

    OK, I know not everyone loves Brussels Sprouts, but I think I can change their minds with these sprouts.  They are tender, crispy and loaded with tons of flavor that will make everyone love them. Just a little crisp The beauty of these brussels sprouts is that they have just a bit of crunch and it is from baking them…no frying involved.  I don’t know why but I just love a little crunch on my side dish. To make these just the right amount of crispy…it is all about the panko bread crumbs.  I have always been a fan of these super crunchy breadcrumbs but using them with brussels sprouts…

  • Weeknight Grilling Goodness

    I am all about the grill in the summer.  I will do anything to not have the oven on heating up the house.  So whether it is pork, steak or chicken I want it cooked on the grill as often as possible.  I love it even more if the sides can be cooked on the grill as well. With this Grilled Veggie recipe, my kitchen may get a 3 month break. SO many options As I was walking through the farmers market a few weekends ago I was blown away by all the great produce.  There was summer squash, zucchini, baby eggplants, peppers, onions…and so much more.  I couldn’t pick…

  • A must make summer side

    The Holiday weekend is almost here and I am busy thinking about all the yummies I am going to fix.  One dish I know for sure is this Mexican Street Corn Salad.  It is a perfect side for this Holiday weekend. It is so much more than corn Ok, obviously corn is a HUGE part of this dish but that is not all there is to it.  There is also lime, cheese, herbs, chili powder, sour cream…and a few more things.   Let me tell you it all comes together to create a delicious corn salad, that you can serve warm or chilled, that everyone is sure to LOVE!! It…

  • a little lemon to brighten up broccolini a bit

    Broccolini is one of my most favorite veggies.  When I say favorite I mean FAVORITE, and this Lemon Garlic version is my MOST FAVORITE! Quick & Easy I don’t know about you but sometimes side dishes can get super boring.  I can get into a rut and make the same thing over and over. For me I make the same sides because they are easy and they come together quick and they are easy. Sometimes though, I like a change. Just because we are going to change it up that doesn’t mean it can’t be quick and easy.  This side is not only quick but it is also easy and…

  • get excited…it’s vegetable time

    Is it hard sometimes to get excited about vegetables?  I know it is for me at time.  I mean lets be real…can vegetables really be all that exciting? YES they can be… and you won’t believe how easy it can be. Now first, things first…lets talk about what veggies to choose. When I made this dish the first time we were having some sweet friends over for dinner and we had never had them over before.  I wasn’t 100% sure what they preferred so I went a little crazy and picked quite the assortment. When I went to the store I just couldn’t pick they all looked so good.  I just had to…

  • Spring Brussels Sprouts everyone will LOVE

    I can’t believe Easter has already come and gone and that we are more than half way through April.  That means warmer temps, longer days & humidity in my part of the world.  It also means it is time to celebrate all spring flavors and one of my favorite is lemon. & Some Brussels Sprouts Too Not only do I love lemons in the Spring but I really love them with Brussels Sprouts….especially these roasted ones with a little parmesan cheese.  The char from the outside skins on the sprouts really pairs well with the brightness and tang from the lemon juice and zest. I also think it is really…

  • bacon green bean casserole-yes I said bacon

    Over the years I have come to the conclusion that you are either a fan of green bean casserole or you are not…it’s really that simple.  I have always landed on the not a fan side of this debate but my brother, James, is a HUGE green bean casserole fan and asks for it every holiday…but this year it was time to take it to the next level. For my brother Most of the time my sis-in-laws mom will make it for him, but for Easter I decided to take on his request but to make it in a way that I (and the other non-lovers) would love as well.…